The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) is calling for new tax arrangements for pubs as the industry faces an average 18 closures a week. The consumer organisation puts these failures down to, among other things, beer duty, business rates and VAT.

CAMRA chairman, Colin Valentine, said: “Pubs are facing a crippling tax burden, exacerbated by the perfect storm of the last business rates revaluation and a high level of beer duty.

“From these new pub closure figures, it is clear a fundamental change is needed if the British pub is to survive for future generations. As Britain prepares to leave the European Union, the government has a unique opportunity to update the tax system to better support pubs, which are a bastion of British culture and at the heart of communities across the country.

“We can now look further afield for a new tax deal for the sector. This could include implementing the Australian model of having a lower rate of duty for beer sold in pubs, radically changing the business rates system, charging a lower rate of VAT for pubs or, even better, all three.

“Millions of dedicated pub-goers are looking to the government to act to secure the future of the British pub. We’re challenging the government to be the most pro-pub in history by seizing this opportunity.”